Dinner with Friends at Ubud's Amandari April 5, 2008

In its continuing series of Dinners Amicale featuring outstanding cuisine at affordable prices, Bali's famous Amandari Resort in Ubud will be hosting an intimate dinner of 20-35 "friends" on April 5, 2008.

The Italian Dinner

Prepared by talented New Zealand chef, Morgan Lonegran, "The Italian Dinner" reflects Morgan's philosophy on food: keep it fresh, honest, simple, and local, and let the integrity of an ingredient remain and speak for itself, highlighting and exemplifying the natural flavors of the stunning food available in Bali.

While some may question the credentials of an Italian-themed dinner prepared by a New Zealander, to do so would be to deny a family legacy bequeathed by growing up in a household of accomplished cooks who cherished the slow cooking and braising methods of the Italian cucina.

Embarking on his cooking career at the tender age of 16, he left the family home to pursue an apprenticeship at a series of well known restaurants working with leading chefs. At 23, he became chef de cuisine of a well known resort in the Marlborough Sounds, and, later, consulted several opening teams at various new restaurants before participating in NZ's Hell's Kitchen television series, competing and eventually placing second nation-wide.

Flush with success, he bought a 50% share in his first restaurant, Bella, an Italian-styled and European-influenced restaurant which grew to become a well-reviewed and much-respected dining venue in Auckland. That restaurant was voted the best local Italian eatery and saw Morgan nominated for most innovative chef in New Zealand, at the same time gaining kudos for his charity work.

A desire to see new places and experience new cuisines, Morgan has now left New Zealand with his wife and two children to join the Aman Group at its legendary Ubud property.